Method and system for in-register processing of print data

ABSTRACT

In a method and system for processing print data, the print data is displayed on a display device before printing, and the print data is displayed together with a check device or reticule that is displaceable at the display device. Both the print data as well as the check device are processed as transparent layers in a browser, where the check device is a dynamic element. The method and the system make it possible to check the registration precision or, in-register quality both by pages as well as within a page for print data of a print job that is divided into a plurality of pages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a method and a system forprocessing print data. It is particularly directed to system forprocessing larger print jobs wherein a print job comprises a pluralityof documents and/or pages. It is therefore suited for application inprint production environments as occur in larger computer centers or inwhat is referred to as the “printing on demand” (PoD) market.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such print production systems are described, for example, in thepublication Das Druckerbuch, edited by Dr. Gerd Goldmann, OÓce PrintingSystems GmbH, Edition 4a, May 1999 (ISBN 3-00-001019-x), pages 12-1through 12-17. Pages 12-9 through 12-11 in this publication describewhat is referred to as a print job manager with which print jobs (alsoreferred to as job tickets) can be generated in an ordinary (orarbitrary) computer (referred to here as a client PC) linked to acomputer network, and the print jobs generated in this way can betransmitted to a system component (for example, an order distributionsystem) for further-processing and ultimate printout.

During the course of processing a print job that precedes the actualprinting event on a printer device, it is often desirable to check theprinted result in advance (referred to as a preview). U.S. Pat. No.5,963,641 discloses a method and device for processing print data thesatisfies this desire.

The preview function becomes especially important in network-based printproduction environments wherein a plurality of user terminals (clientPCs) are connected to a shared network, as are one or more print serversthat administer print data generated by the users or by a host printerand forward them to one or more high-performance printers. This isespecially true of print data streams wherein the print data is composedof a plurality of data sources, for example of a variable data streamand of static resource data to be integrated therein. Examples of suchdata streams are what is referred to as the Advanced FunctionPresentation Data Stream (AFPDS) or the Mixed Object Documents ContentsArchitecture data stream (MO:DCA).

The AFPDS data stream as well as an image viewer which is suitable forthe data are described, for example, in documentation numberS54405285-00 of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)bearing the title “AFP Conversion and Index Facility (ACIF) UsersGuide”. The MO:DCA data stream is described, for example, in IBMdocument number SC31-6802-04 bearing the title “Mixed Object DocumentContent Architecture Reference”.

Networked devices are being increasingly utilized in printing processes,and the devices are driven or monitored by means of standard computerprograms such as, for example, known browser programs. Such Internetbrowsers are, for example, the Microsoft Internet Explorer® browseroperating under the Windows operating system, the Netscape Navigator®browser or the browser Opera that can also be employed under the Linuxoperating system. Such browser programs are often included in thestandard software package of personal computers and are thus availableat nearly every newer type of personal computer.

The Netscape Navigator browser supports what is referred to as a layertechnique that is programmable in the JavaScript programming language.The object layer that lies below the document object in the JavaScript®object hierarchy thereby provides the possibility of obtaining access toall layers that are defined in an HTML data file.

A new layer object is automatically generated when the browser programencounters a layer in the HTML data file.

Layers can be addressed in various ways with JavaScript®, for examplewith the commands

“document.layers[#].Property=Value”

“document.layers[#].Method ο”

“Color=document.layers [0].bgColor”

“document.LayerName.Property=Value”

“document.LayerName.Methodο” and

“Color=document.Headerarea.bgColor”

A layer can thereby be addressed with an index number and“document.layers”. Which layer in the data file is to be called followsthis in brackets. Each layer that was noted in HTML with the <layer>-tagor with the <ilayer>-tag counts. The layers can also be addressed with“document.LayerName” and the name can be indicated that was specified inthe attribute “name=” in the introductory <layer>/<ilayer>-tag in thedefinition of the graphic.

Further details about this layer technique are described, for example,in the book “SELFHTML: Version 7.0 of 27 Apr. 1998” by Stefan Müz thatcan be ordered via the Internet.

The aforementioned publications and patents are herewith incorporated byreference into the present specification.

When processing print jobs, PoD applications demand that successivepages of a document be printed exactly registered, particularly whenproducing bound brochures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a method and a system with which apage-by-page, exactly registered printing is enabled.

This is achieved by a method for processing print data, whereby theprint data are displayed on a display device before printing, wherebythe print data are displayed together with a check device (reticule)that is displaceable at the display device. This is also achieved bycomputer software that that effects a method execution according to theforegoing when loaded on a computer. The invention encompasses acomputer program product that effects the foregoing method executionwhen loaded on a computer, as well as a computer system that effects amethod execution and additionally encompasses a printing systemcomprising a computer system to effect the method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in greater detail below and by way of exampleon the basis of the drawings.

Further details and exemplary embodiments of the invention are describedin greater detail below on the basis of a few Figures.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a print productionenvironment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a program structure;

FIG. 3 is a load picture screen menu;

FIG. 4 is a start picture screen menu;

FIG. 5 is a first document display;

FIG. 6 is a second document display; and

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a system structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to the principles of the present invention, the print data tobe processed for a print job are displayed on a display device beforethe printing. The print data are thereby displayed together with a checkdevice that is displaceable on the display device. The display therebyensues with a browser program such as, for example, Netscape Navigatorthat supports the aforementioned layer technique. The invention can thusbe advantageously used in a broad scope without a major outlay.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the print data arealready present in a rastered print data format such as, for example,MO:DCA, TIF, JPG, or IOCA in which they are later supplied to a printerdevice for printing. In particular, both these print data as well as thecheck device in the browser are processed as transparent layers in abrowser. The invention is based on the perception that dynamic elementscan be generated in browsers with such layers and that such elements canbe employed as a check device when processing print data.

In particular, the check device is a reticule that comprises two linesarranged along axes residing perpendicular to one another that can bedynamically displaced independently of one another parallel to the otheraxis and whose positions along the respective other axis can berespectively fixed independently of one another. Each of the two linesthus represents a sub-element of the check device (or reticule). It isthereby advantageous when each of these sub-elements is processed in thebrowser as a separate layer. The lines of the reticule are displayed, inparticular, in a graphic mode that contrasts with the other displayareas, for example in color (for example, red).

The present method, in particular, makes it possible to check the printdata of a print job that is divided into a plurality of pagespage-by-page and to also check them within a page in view of their exactregistration or, respectively, whether they are in-register. To thatend, the check device (or reticule) is positioned and fixed at aposition prescribed by the edge of the displayed print data. The nextpage or, respectively, the following pages are then displayed and theirposition relative to the fixed check device is determined. When adiscrepancy occurs, for example a spacing between the fixed check deviceand the following pages, then corresponding correction measures can beinitiated, for example correction values for shifting print pages can beinput or a shift value (a shift) with which the later printing iscontrolled can be determined by undoing the fixing of the positioningmeans or, respectively, dynamic element and subsequent re-positioning ofthe check device corresponding to the following page. It is especiallyadvantageous for this purpose when the position of the check device onthe display device is automatically acquired in a coordinate system andthe coordinate values corresponding to the position are stored.

FIG. 1 shows a print production environment wherein one of several usercomputers 2, a print server 3, a printer device 4 and a separate printdata source 5 (a host computer) are connected via a computer networksuch as, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN). The user computer 2 communicates, in particular, with the printserver 3 via a specific connection software such as, for example, thePRISMA +POD software described on pages 12-1 through 12-17 in theabove-cited publication OCE-Druckerbuch that runs under the PRISMA PROsystem.

Among other things, a browser software 6 (such as Netscape Communicator)is installed on the user PC 2 for this purpose.

The browser software 6 thereby communicates with the print job manager7, the PRISMA+POD software.

Print data that were fetched from the print server 3 or the hostcomputer 5 by the print job manager can thereby be intermediately storedin a further memory area 8 of the user computer 2.

The user computer 2 also comprises a picture screen 7 as well as a mouse8 employed for the input control.

FIG. 2 shows how the browser software 7 collaborates with a software“PDVView.js” 9 programmed under JavaScript® whose listing is appended tothe end of the specification as Appendix 1.

The JavaScript program 9 has recourse, first, to the HTML code“PDVViewControl.Html” 10 as well as to the HTML code “PDVViewImage.Html”11 that are appended as Appendices 2 and 3. HTML means Hyper Text MarkupLanguage, and reticule references are defined as “Grid” in the listings;the layer-related definitions and functions can likewise be clearlyseen.

FIG. 7 shows essential system components and the corresponding executivesequence that are used during the course of producing,further-processing and printing out a document.

In a memory domain 70 that, for example, is in the print server 3(FIG. 1) or distributed, too, over a plurality of computers in thenetwork, the objects 72 and 73 generated in the client PC 2 by means ofa user program 71 such as, for example, a text processing program can betransmitted by means of an upload storage event from the client PC 2into the corresponding storage computer and can be stored thereat. Tothat end, the memory domain 70 comprises one or more upload lists 74 aswell as a library 75 for print data files (print file library) in whichprint jobs that have already been finished are stored. In particular,the storing thereby ensues on a permanent storage such as a hard disk ofthe print server 3.

After the data files 72 and 73 produced in the program 71 have beenentered into the upload list and deposited there in the memory areas 72a and 73 a, the print job manager software 7 can unite these to acomplete print job and store them in the print file library 75 as jobdatafile 75 a by actuating the key 26 (see FIG. 3). This ensues in anevent 126.

Alternatively to the storing 126, a datafile contained in the uploadlist 74 can also be both stored in the print file library 76 as well assupplied to the printer 4 for the printout in the event 127 by actuatingthe button 27. Printing from the upload list 74 corresponding to themethod execution 128 is also possible via button 28 (see FIG. 3).

A document datafile 75 a stored in the library 75 (a print file library)can be transmitted to the client PC 2 in a transmission event 129 byactuating the button 61 (see FIG. 4). Before the transmission, a checkis carried out to see whether the data file 75 a is present in arastered data format such as IOCA, TIF, GIF or JPG that can be displayedby the browser 6. When this is not the case, for example when thedatafile stored in the library 75 is coded in an AFP, PCL of PostScriptformat, a raster module 76 converts it into a predetermined, rasteredformat such as, for example, JPG before it can be transmitted to theclient PC 5 or be displayed by the browser. The datafile transmitted or,respectively, converted in this way is then displayed with the browser 6(see FIGS. 5 and 6).

For printing according to the events 127 and 128, the data transmittedfrom the upload list 24 to the printer 4 are offered in a data formatthat is matched to the data formats that can be processed by theprinter, for example in the format AFP, PCL or PostScript.

FIG. 3 shows a display window 15 that is displayed on the picture screen17 of the user computer 2 after calling the browser software 6 and theprint job manager (PJM) software 7. In its upper area 16, the window 15thereby has the typical features of an Internet browser, namely theNetscape menu line with functions such as “datafile”, “process” as wellas “refresh”, as well as the indication of the currently called httpnetwork address in the filed 19.

A selection can thereby be made in the selection field 26 as to whetherthe data files stored in the upload list 74 or the data files stored inthe library 75 are to be displayed in the selection list 21. In thecondition shown in FIG. 3, the data files of the upload list 74 aredisplayed in the list 21.

On the one hand, properties of a datafile activated in the upload areaare indicated in the area 114 (description), for example its format “PS”for a PostScript datafile. On the other hand, desired printingparameters are displayed in the area 14 and can be selected, for examplethe number of copies per printout or the type of output, simplex/duplexprinting.

The output in datafile (store) and/or the output to a printer (print)can be stared with the buttons 26, 27 and 28.

FIG. 4 shows the display window 15 in a condition that is reached afterthe load event started in FIG. 3. The particular “library” in field 25thereby indicates that the list of the library 75 is displayed in theselection list 21.

Various documents in a document selection field 21 can be selected in adisplay area 20 of the current document “Pjmadmin.html”. Typicalproperties of the currently selected documents are displayed in the area22, for instance the name, the print data language, the number ofcopies, the page size, layout particulars as well as impositionparameters (impositioning).

Typical particulars that are printer-specifically required for the printjob such as, for example, the resolution are deposited in the area 23.

Local data files of the client PC 2 can be displayed and administered inthe display area 14. Print documents in the permanent memory (harddisks) of the client PC 2 can thereby be sought with the button 13. Thename of an existing datafile for the search can be input in the field12. A datafile of the client PC 2 can be transmitted onto the printserver 3 (as an upload event) with the button 24, so that this datafileappears in the upload list 74.

FIG. 5 shows how a document loaded into the browser (such as NetscapeNavigator) is displayed and how the display is controlled with theJavaScript module “PDVView.js” 9 (see Appendix 1). The document isthereby presented region-by-region, for example page-by-page, in adisplay region 31 of the display window 30. This display is controlledby the program “PDVViewImage.html” 11 (see Appendix 3).

The data files loaded in this way (for example, the datafile“Frame/A4.ps”) are available in a rastered format (such as JPG) in thebrowser, whereby it is assured that the displayed information isidentical pixel-by-pixel to the information that arises in the printimage when the same datafile is printed out.

The viewer-specific menu line 32 is displayed in a display area lyingabove the display area 31. The display in the document display area 31can thereby be modified via a plurality of control functions. First anupward or downward movement within the document can be accomplished inthe document via the scroll bar 33 or the arrow keys 34 and 35 belongingthereto, as is customary in a standard browser.

Another possibility of the modifying the display of the document in thearea 31 is to roam in the document with the arrow keys 36 (to the startof the document), 37 (up), 38 (down) and 39 (to the end of thedocument). Further, a specific page number can be input in the inputfield 40 in order to proceed directly to a specific page. The zoomfactor with which the document is displayed in the area 31 can bespecified in the field 41.

After pressing the viewer button 61 (FIG. 4), the display window 30 withthe menu line 32 and the currently loaded document is displayed in theregion 31 in the browser 7 or, respectively, in the display module 9(viewer). The text 43 of page 1 of the document is thereby shown in FIG.5; the text or, respectively, the information of page 2 of the currentlyloaded document is displayed in FIG. 6.

By pressing the button 45, the reticule 46 can be selectively mixed inor blanked out within the display area 31. The reticule 46 is therebycomposed of a vertical line 47 and of a horizontal line 48.

The reticule is not visible when the image viewer (viewer 9) isinitially started. It is turned on (activated) by actuating the button45 and appears visible in the upper left corner of the display area 31.This corner defines the origin coordinates (X, Y)=(0, 0) within acoordinate system. The current coordinates of the reticule are therebydisplayed in the browser status line 60 in two display fields 49 for thehorizontal X-coordinate and 50 for the vertical Y-coordinate. The menuline 32 is thereby effected and controlled by the program“PDVViewControl.html” 10 (Appendix 2).

The current coordinates of the reticule can be retained, stored anddisplayed in the coordinate fields 49 and 50 with the marking key 51. Asubsequent movement of the reticule in the horizontal or verticaldirection no longer modifies the X-coordinate or, respectively,Y-coordinate values in the displayed coordinate display fields until themarking key is pressed again. The stored X-coordinates, or,respectively, Y-coordinates of the current reticule position arere-displayed by renewed pressing of the marking key.

The display text 43 of the document to be viewed, which is embedded in afirst layer, can be seen within the display field 31. In a browserprogramming environment, such layers are carriers of graphicinformation. Differing from the graphic information in and ofthemselves, however, the layers are advantageously movable in browserenvironments. By embedding the graphic information in the layers, theinformation (lines of the reticule) are movable within a browser displayin that the layer is moved in the browser. Dynamic elements whoseposition is variable are thus created within the browser environment.

In the present employment, the first layer, in which the graphicinformation of the document are stored, is not topically modified. Asecond layer, in which the vertical line 47 of the reticule 46 isstored, however, can be arbitrarily shifted in horizontal direction Awithin the boundaries of the document display area 31. The second line48 of the reticule 46, which is likewise embedded in a third layer as agraphic information one pixel wide, can be arbitrarily verticallyshifted along direction B in exactly the same way. The line is therebypresented by an elongation from a datafile with one pixel.

In data-oriented terms, the reticule 46 is coupled with the mouse 18(FIG. 1) and, like a notoriously known mouse pointer, is automaticallymoved within the display area 31 in conjunction with a movement of themouse. The reticule 46 can be uncoupled from the mouse by means of amouse click with the left mouse button and remains standing at thecurrent position within the document display region.

The momentary values within the X-Y coordinates (horizontal, vertical)of the reticule 46 can be displayed in the underlying text fields 49 and50 by selecting the switch button 51. The current position of thereticule is visible in the status bar 60 of the browser.

To this end, the reticule must be visible and fixed. When the reticule46—after it has been made mobile again with a renewed mouse click withinthe display field 31—is subsequently shifted again, then the displayvalues in the fields 49 and 50 are preserved. The coordinate valuescorrespond to individual pixel values on the X-Y axes.

The reticule can be directly positioned to the indicated coordinateposition by inputting the X-coordinates or, respectively, Y-coordinatesinto the fields 49 and 50.

For checking the in-register nature of successive pages, it is expedientto position the reticule at a specific position, for example at X=70 andY=494, and to then undertake a page change via one of the buttons 36,37, 39, 39 or 40. In the comparison of FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, thisis implemented with the pages 1 and 2, whereby it can be clearly seenthat page 2 is positioned out-of-register relative to page 1. Thehorizontal distance ‘a’ between the line starts of the pages 1 and 2 canbe identified by shifting the reticule 46 to the start of the text ofpage 2, and the number of pixels can be directly read in the field 49.The register correction value (the difference between the two positionsof pages 1 and 2) that is thereby achieved and measured in pixels canthen be corrected either automatically or by transmission onto adifferent system, for example into the controller of the printer 4, suchthat the in-register is restored in the ultimate printout.

The basis for the presentation of the reticule 46 is, on the one hand,the aforementioned layer technique and, on the other hand, two imagedata files with a respective, specifically identified image composed ofa red-colored pixel for the two lines 47 and 48. The lines 47 and 48that respectively extend up to the edges of the display region 31thereby arise by elongation in respectively the horizontal or,respectively, vertical direction.

It can be particularly seen when switching from FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 thatthe position of the reticule, i.e. by the coordinate X, Y, is notmodified as a result of a page change. Given fast scrolling (for exampleby a page change), the user can thus very quickly recognize whetherthere is a shift in view of the in-register quality in successive pagesor, too, in pages that lie far apart.

On the other hand, the reticule is dynamically displaceable within theregion 31. Such dynamic elements can be particularly realized by meansof the layer technique in web browsers like the Netscape Communicator.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described. It isthereby clear that a person skilled in the art could recite developmentsof the invention at any time. For example, dotted lines or other symbolscould also be displayed instead of the reticule lines. The procedure ofchecking the in-register quality could also be automated, so that thereticule or the register lines are automatically modified, thecorrection values are automatically calculated and forwarded to ahigher-ranking process controller.

The invention can be realized as a computer program as well as acomputer program product or can be realized integrated in a computer andis especially advantageous, particularly in printing systems withconnected print servers. It can thereby run on a server, on a client PC,a printer or another computer linked into a data network. Correspondingprogram data files can be stored on a data carrier or can bedisseminated via LAN and WAN networks like the Internet.

Thus, the present invention provides a method for processing print data,whereby the print data are displayed on a display device beforeprinting, whereby the print data are displayed together with a checkdevice (reticule) that is displaceable at the display device. The printdata may be present in a rastered format in which they are supplied to aprinter device for printing. In one embodiment, the print data aredisplayed by means of a browser. In the method the position of the checkdevice can be fixed on the display device. The check device of apreferred embodiment may comprise a line. Specifically, the check deviceis a reticule and the two axes (lines) of the reticule are displaceableindependently of one another on the display device. The positions of thetwo axes (lines) of the reticule can be fixed independently of oneanother on the display device.

Preferably, the method provides that the check device is displacedand/or fixed on the display device with an input device (such as amouse, track ball, touch panel). The position of the check device on thedisplay device is preferably automatically acquired in a coordinatesystem and the coordinate values (x, y) corresponding to the positionare stored. The print data are processed in a first transparent layer(dynamic element, layer) and the check device (reticule) is processed inat least one second transparent layer.

The present method provides that the check device can comprise a firstsub-element (horizontal line) and a second sub-element (vertical line)and each sub-element is processed in a separate layer. According to oneembodiment, the print data are divided into a plurality of pages and,for checking the in-register quality of successive pages, the checkdevice (one or both axes of the reticule) is positioned and fixed at apredetermined edge position of a first page and at least one followingpage is then displayed together with the check device.

The display of the check device can be turned off. Predetermined pagesof a document corresponding may be displayed with a page buttondisplayed on the display device. The check device can be displayed at apredetermined position by means of values that are input or selected ata position button displayed on the display device.

The present invention also provides computer software that effects amethod of execution according to the foregoing when loaded on acomputer. A computer program product that effects the method executionwhen loaded on a computer is within the scope of the present invention.The present invention extends to a computer system that effects a methodexecution for the present method. A printing system comprising thecomputer system is also encompassed.

Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by thoseskilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embodywithin the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications asreasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution tothe art.

1. Computer software stored on a computer readable media that whenloaded on a computer is executed to effect a method comprising thefollowing steps: displaying the print data on a display device using aninternet browser before printing the print data, the print data beingdisplayed in a rastered data format and being displayed in a way thatthe displayed print data is identical pixel-by-pixel to information thatappears on a print image when the print data is printed: said displayingstep including: displaying the print data of one page of the pluralityof pages on the display device using the internet browser; displaying acheck element on the display device using the internet browser, saidcheck element being displayed along with the print data of said onepage, said check element being displaceable at the display device suchthat the check element is positionable at a predetermined positionrelative to an edge of the displayed print data of said one page;displaying the print data of another page of the plurality of pages onthe display device using the internet browser, said another page being adifferent page than said one page; and displaying on the internetbrowser said check element together with the print data of said anotherpage, said check element being displayed at said predetermined position,said displaying the print data of said another page with said checkelement at said predetermined position of an edge enabling a user todetermine if a position of the print data of said another page is inregister accuracy with the position of the edge of the print data ofsaid page by comparing the predetermined position of the check elementwith the edge of the print data of said another page; and dragging thecheck element from the predetermined position to the position at theedge of the print data of said another page to obtain a registercorrection value when the edge of the print data of said another page isnot at the predetermined position of the check element.
 2. A computerprogram product including a computer readable media that when loaded ona computer is executed to effect a method comprising the steps of:displaying the print data on a display device using an internet browserbefore printing the print data, the print data being displayed in arastered data format and being displayed in a way that the displayedprint data is identical pixel-by-pixel to information that appears on aprint image when the print data is printed; said displaying stepincluding: displaying the print data of one page of the plurality ofpages on the display device using the internet browser; displaying acheck element on the display device using the internet browser, saidcheck element being displayed along with the print data of said onepage, said check element being displaceable at the display device suchthat the check element is positionable at a predetermined positionrelative to an edge of the displayed print data of said one page;displaying the print data of another page of the plurality of pages onthe display device using the internet browser, said another page being adifferent page than said one page; and displaying on the internetbrowser said check element together with the print data of said anotherpage, said check element being displayed at said predetermined position,said displaying the print data of said another page with said checkelement at said predetermined position of an edge enabling a user todetermine if a position of the print data of said another page is inregister accuracy with the position of the edge of the print data ofsaid one page by comparing the predetermined position of the checkelement with the edge of the print data of said another page; anddragging the check element from the predetermined position to theposition at the edge of the print data of said another page to obtain aregister correction value when the edge of the print data of saidanother page is not at the predetermined position of the check element.3. A computer system that is operable to perform the steps of:displaying the print data on a display device using an internet browserbefore printing the print data, the print data being displayed in arastered data format and being displayed in a way that the displayedprint data is identical pixel-by-pixel to information that appears on aprint image when the print data is printed; said displaying stepincluding: displaying the print data of one page of the plurality ofpages on the display device using the internet browser; displaying acheck element on the display device using the internet browser, saidcheck element being displayed along with the print data of said onepage, said check element being displaceable at the display device suchthat the check element is positionable at a predetermined positionrelative to an edge of the displayed print data of said one page;displaying the print data of another page of the plurality of pages onthe display device using the internet browser, said another page being adifferent page than said one page; and displaying on the internetbrowser said check element together with the print data of said anotherpage, said check element being displayed at said predetermined position,said displaying the print data of said another page with said checkelement at said predetermined position of an edge enabling a user todetermine if a position of the print data of said another page is inregister accuracy with the position of the edge of the print data ofsaid one page by comparing the predetermined position of the checkelement with the edge of the print data of said another page; anddragging the check element from the predetermined position to theposition at the edge of the print data of said another page to obtain aregister correction value when the edge of the print data of saidanother page is not at the predetermined position of the check element.4. A printing system, comprising: a computer system that is operable toperform the steps of: displaying the print data on a display deviceusing an internet browser before printing the print data the print databeing displayed in a rastered data format and being displayed in a waythat the displayed print data is identical pixel-by-pixel to informationthat appears on a print image when the print data is printed; saiddisplaying step including: displaying the print data of one page of theplurality of pages on the display device using the internet browser;displaying a check element on the display device using the internetbrowser, said check element being displayed along with the print data ofsaid one page, said check element being displaceable at the displaydevice such that the check element is positionable at a predeterminedposition relative to an edge of the displayed print data of said onepage; displaying the print data of another page of the plurality ofpages on the display device using the internet browser, said anotherpage being a different page than said one page; and displaying on theinternet browser said check element together with the print data of saidanother page, said check element being displayed at said predeterminedposition, said displaying the print data of said another page with saidcheck element at said predetermined position of an edge enabling a userto determine if a position of the print data of said another page is inregister accuracy with the position of the edge of the print data ofsaid one page by comparing the predetermined position of the checkelement with the edge of the print data of said another page; anddragging the check element from the predetermined position to theposition at the edge of the print data of said another page to obtain aregister correction value when the edge of the print data of saidanother page is not at the predetermined position of the check element.5. A method for processing print data of a print job divided into aplurality of pages, comprising the steps of: displaying the print dataon a display device using an internet browser before printing the printdata, the print data being displayed in a rastered data format and beingdisplayed in a way that the displayed print data is identicalpixel-by-pixel to information that appears on a print image when theprint data is printed; said displaying step including: displaying theprint data of one page of the plurality of pages on the display deviceusing the internet browser; displaying a check element on the displaydevice using the internet browser, said check element being displayedalong with the print data of said one page, said check element beingdisplaceable at the display device such that the check element ispositionable at a predetermined position relative to an edge of thedisplayed print data of said one page; displaying the print data ofanother page of the plurality of pages on the display device using theinternet browser, said another page being a different page than said onepage; and displaying on the internet browser said check element togetherwith the print data of said another page, said check element beingdisplayed at said predetermined position, said displaying the print dataof said another page with said check element at said predeterminedposition of an edge enabling a user to determine if a position of theprint data of said another page is in register accuracy with theposition of the edge of the print data of said one page by comparing thepredetermined position of the check element with the edge of the printdata of said another page; and dragging the check element from thepredetermined position to the position at the edge of the print data ofsaid another page to obtain a register correction value when the edge ofthe print data of said another page is not at the predetermined positionof the check element.
 6. A method according to claim 5, furthercomprising the step of: selectively fixing of a position of the checkelement on the display device.
 7. A method according to claim 5, whereinthe check element includes a line.
 8. A method according to claim 7,wherein said check element is a reticule, and wherein said step ofdragging the check element includes selectively displacing two lines ofsaid reticule independently of one another on the display device.
 9. Amethod according to claim 8, further comprising the step of: fixing thepositions of the two lines of the reticule independently of one anotheron the display device.
 10. A method according to claim 5, wherein saidstep of dragging the check element obtains the register correctionsvalue in pixels.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said inputdevice is one of a mouse, a track ball and a touch panel.
 12. A methodas claimed in claim 5, further comprising the step of: fixing the checkelement on the display device with an input device.
 13. A method asclaimed in claim 12, wherein said input device is one of a mouse, atrack ball and a touch panel.
 14. A method according to claim 5, furthercomprising the steps of: automatically acquiring a position of the checkelement on the display device in a coordinate system; and storingcoordinate values corresponding to the position.
 15. A method accordingto claim 5, further comprising the steps of: processing the print datain a first transparent layer; and processing the check device in atleast one second transparent layer.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 15,wherein said first transparent laying includes a dynamic element.
 17. Amethod according to claim 15, wherein said check element includes afirst sub-element and a second sub-element and each sub-element isprocessed in a separate layer.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 17,wherein said first sub-element is a horizontal line and said secondsub-element is a vertical line.
 19. A method according to claim 5,further comprising the step of: positioning and fixing the check elementat said predetermined edge position of a first page.
 20. A method asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the positioning includes positioning of oneline of a reticule.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein thepositioning includes positioning of both lines of a reticule.
 22. Amethod according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: selectivelyturning off display of the check element.
 23. A method according toclaim 5, further comprising the step of: displaying predetermined pagesof a document with a page button displayed on the display device.
 24. Amethod according to claim 5, further comprising the step of: receiving auser input of position values or selection of a position button by whichthe check element is displayed at the predetermined position on thedisplay device.